Aside from permissions she gave me loves. There was the love of music most of all. Mom was a contralto in the opera. Music was all around us. She graduated from high school at 15 having skipped 3 grades. She immediately went into the work world and by age 18 had her own program on WWL radio in New Orleans sharing her love of opera all over the South. With my dad working in radio stations in the early years we had a massive album collection. He brought those records home for her. She played us show tunes, opera, and yes, our beloved Mahalia. My mom had a love of Gospel music that I am almost as passionate about as sewing. She would sing those black spirituals, Baptist hymns, and Latin choir music. I would go with her each week to choir practice, her only time out on her own with 8 kids, and just rejoice in hearing here voice resonate through St. Johns's Cathedral in Lafayette. It gave me such a feeling listening to her voice.
Another love she gave me was the love of food. She always had a petite little figure until her later diseased years, and that was with all the Creole cooking that was staple in our home. She taught me to love "ranch style grits", shrimp etouffe, smothered okra, and so so much more, never losing that little figure. It was amazing.
As Mahalia sings in my background, may I wish all the Moms out there a beautiful Mother's Day with their families. May you remember the permissions your Mom gave you, and all of the loves. It is what made you you.......Bunny
What a beautiful tribute to a very beautiful woman.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet! I hope you also have a Happy Mother's Day.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gift and a beautiful tribute to your mother. Happy Mother's Day
ReplyDeleteWell this is such a lovely post and I am struck by how much onion chopping your mother must have done with such a large family as well :) I was talking to my children about this post and we have decided to make shrimp (though we call them prawns here in Australia) etouffee for my Australian mother's day dinner tonight. Can't say that it will have the same taste but I hope much of the same feeling as your post.
ReplyDeleteThankyou, and a very happy mothers day to you too. Your mother sounds wonderful. You were very lucky. Have a great day. I did :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful Mother's Day tribute to your Mom. She sounds like a remarkable woman.
ReplyDeleteHappy Mother's Day....your mother sounds like she was an amazing lady, and influenced you in fantastic ways.
ReplyDeleteWhat a touching post! She must have been a great woman indeed and you carry on so much of her!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful Mother's day post. I feel enriched and free just reading it.
ReplyDeleteHappy Mother's Day and many thanks for your stories about your mom and your sewing adventures!
ReplyDeleteHappy Mothers Day, Bunny! Hope you're having a wonderful day!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post about your Mom. ♥
What a sweet tribute to your mother§
ReplyDeleteShe certainly was a great lady
It's so wonderful when we can have mentors and people like this who can help us and encourage us along the way. It's sounds too like you had some wonderful friends who helped you as well. What a wonderful gift!
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful and inspiring. I will pass this on to my pregnant daughter!
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful, and what a way to remember her.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this: Telling of the permissions your mother gave you and bringing to mind those my mother gave me. How similar our mothers were! What gifts!
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